Here's why 'American Idol' winner Noah Thompson couldn't wait to come home to Kentucky

It's a long way from his Eastern Kentucky holler to the Hollywood stage, but less than four days after winning ABC's "American Idol," Noah Thompson has already hightailed it back in his Kentucky home with his girlfriend Angel Dixon and their 13-month-old son Walker cooing nearby.

"I am back home, finally, This is the best state on earth," Thomspon told The Courier Journal. "There is no place like home, I just love all of Kentucky."

And the Bluegrass State loves Thompson back.

On May 17, thousands of fans came out to celebrate with a parade in the "American Idol" contestant's honor in his hometown of Louisa, Kentucky. People decorated their yards with signs made from photographs of his face, signs hung from every store window and more than 10,000 fans attended Thompson's live concert that night in his alma mater's football stadium at Lawrence Country High School.

Then on Sunday, when it really counted, 16 million people across the nation voted for the next "American Idol." When host Ryan Seacrest announced the winner was the unassuming country singer from Kentucky, even Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jaqueline Coleman shared words of congratulations for Thompson’s journey as he became the first Kentuckian to bring home the title.

Background: 'One Day Tonight.' Kentucky's Noah Thompson wins 'American Idol' 2022

Actually, the 20-year-old, former construction worker's journey is one that began many years before his friend, Arthur Johnson recorded Thompson singing and sent the audition off to producers of the popular televised music contest.

“He’s not born to be working with us man, hanging drywall or anything like that,” Johnson said during Thompson's "American Idol" audition.

And to be honest, deep down, Thompson didn't think so, either.

Since he was old enough to read the names of the country music legends listed on the "Country Music Highway" sign along US Route 23 Highway near his home in Eastern Kentucky, Thompson would announce to his grandmother, or whoever was in the car, "I am going to be on that sign one day," he remembers. "I'd say it all the time, never knowing how in the world that would happen." 

While he'll have to prove his chops in the music industry before he sees his name next to Larry Cordle, Ricky Skaggs, Don Rigsby, Keith Whitley and Tyler Childers on the Country Music Highway sign, Thompson's win May 22 on "American Idol" has given him a big leg up.

For winning Season 20 of the competition, Thompson will receive a $250,000 prize along with a record deal with Hollywood Records. He's also received some really nice gifts from businesses in Lawrence County, including a shiny new red pickup truck.

"I am going to take some time to be with my family and let this all sink in and then I can't wait to get started writing some of my own songs, working on an album and getting out there playing shows," said the "American Idol" winner. And he said Kentucky fans can you bet your bottom dollar he'll perform around the Bluegrass State when the time is right.

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In the meantime, Thomspon who called himself "the quiet, laid back constant" on the show, is proud of the spotlight his win has shone on Kentucky and the talent his state has to offer.

"I can promise you there was never a person who was more terrified walking into that audition room than I was," he said. "But I’m from a place where you don’t really get much opportunities so when I entered that room I was thinking about my family back home and remembering what I was doing this for."

To Thompson's surprise, he received a Golden Ticket at the conclusion of his audition and continued to receive praise as he performed music from artists like Harry Styles, Rihanna and Bruce Springsteen with his own country twist for the next two months on the show.

"What people see is just me. I like to wear flannel, jeans and work boots," Thompson said. "I wasn't going to change for anybody. I want to be who I want to be. I just have to hope that's good enough for everyone."

Only for his final song during the finale did Thompson wear anything other than a flannel shirt and blue jeans. 

"I did not want to wear it at first, I didn't feel like it was me," he said. "But in hindsight, I know wearing that suit was a good idea."

Katy Perry, a judge on "American Idol" thought the suit was a good idea too.

"How dare you wear that suit," Perry gushed after Thompson performed "Stay" by Rihanna. "Wear that suit and sing that song."

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Before entering "American Idol," Thompson worked for the company Addiction Recovery Care in the construction division. While not in recovery himself, Thompson spent two years getting to know many colleagues on his construction crew who are in recovery.

"Oh man, I really liked working with all of them," Thompson said. "I look up to every one of them boys, most of them are recovering addicts who have turned their lives around."

Thompson hopes his journey on "American Idol" will help give his coworkers — and others — the space to dream.

"Those guys all knew how scared I was going into this competition," he told The Courier Journal. "And now, with all this happening, I hope they see that anything truly, truly, truly is possible."

Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com or Twitter @kirbylouisville. 

5 questions with 'American Idol' winner Noah Thompson 

From the best place to ride a motorcycle to that handsome black suit he wore in the finale of "American Idol," here are five things Kentucky native and winner of Season 20 of "American Idol" Noah Thompson likes best on the planet. 

Courier Journal: What's your favorite color?

Noah Thompson: Definitely blue

Courier Journal: What is your favorite meal?

Thompson: My grandma's biscuits and gravy

Courier Journal: The black suit "American Idol" judge Katy Perry liked you wearing so much in the finale, did you get to keep it?

Thompson: Yes I did.  

Courier Journal: What type of motorcycle do you ride?

Thompson: It's a Honda Shadow

Courier Journal: What makes riding your Honda Shadow in Eastern Kentucky better than anywhere else?

Thompson: I have grown up here my entire life and there is no place on earth like Eastern Kentucky. The quiet, the peacefulness, the beauty of this place, nothing can compare.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 'American Idol' winner Noah Thompson happy to back in Louisa, Kentucky